[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-became-the-patron-of-villains":3,"chapter-became-the-patron-of-villains-became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-145":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Became the Patron of Villains",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},759635,1006,"Chapter 145","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-145",145,"\u003Cp>“Look forward to the gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then I’ll try to expect something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Rine smile subtly, Evan, standing next to Alon, whispered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, you’re lucky, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you seem a little disappointed last time when you didn’t get a birthday gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I wasn’t, really.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…But Evan wasn’t entirely wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, it did sting a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…If I hadn’t heard about it, I wouldn’t have expected anything in the first place.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he didn’t intend to blame Rine for saying she would give him a gift back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A birthday gift depends on the giver’s feelings, and it would be ridiculous for the recipient to demand one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were looking forward to it, weren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t mind him. Evan is just talking nonsense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine let out a small chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, Godfather. This year, I’ll definitely give you a gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a lighthearted exchange, Alon finally got to the real reason he had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rine, I read the letter you sent… Do you have any additional information about the ‘Shadow Dragon’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine’s gaze shifted to Blackie, nestled in the breast pocket of Alon’s coat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the ‘Shadow Dragon’, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pondering for a moment, Rine slowly began to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After you asked about the ‘Shadow Dragon’, I did some additional research. But honestly, I couldn’t find much more from the resources I had access to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine’s answer left Alon with a peculiar expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As I suspected from her letter, the ‘Shadow Dragon’ appears to be an even more dangerous existence than I thought.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason he sought Rine’s knowledge on the ‘Shadow Dragon’ since obtaining its egg was simple:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew about the library inside Rine’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That library contained almost all information, excluding things deemed ‘unknowable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, even information about the ‘unknowable’ existed in the restricted section of her mental library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, those records were sealed, and Rine couldn’t access them due to the constraints of the library’s rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Alon knew how to unlock the restricted section.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had no intention of allowing that, for it required accepting the *Five Deadly Sins.*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon recalled this fact, Rine added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, I did manage to uncover a little information.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, though I’m not sure how useful it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shared the rest of what she had found, and Alon listened silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, Alon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she mentioned earlier, not all the information was immediately useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, two notable details emerged:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘Shadow Dragons’ can ascend to become gods if they fulfill certain conditions as they mature…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not entirely sure, but the information I found suggested that, unlike other dragons, ‘Shadow Dragons’ can achieve divinity by overcoming their destructive urges and consuming the profane.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first revelation: the Blackie he was raising could potentially become a ‘god.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second revelation: Blackie was unlike other ‘Shadow Dragons.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unlike the others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. From what I’ve found, ‘Shadow Dragons’ typically cannot change their forms. This remains true even if they regain their rationality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So, normally, they wouldn’t be able to take on the shape of a cat, like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re exactly right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackie was unique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon stared blankly at Blackie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little creature tilted its head innocently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…It’s hard to wrap my head around it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he had seen it transform into other forms and attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since Blackie always appeared harmless in his presence, the idea of its ‘original form’ felt foreign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he watched the black cat for a while, a memory surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then, could it be… when it devoured Rikrakamur… was that part of this process?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought lingered briefly before Alon exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Rine’s information was accurate, the ‘Shadow Dragon’ simply consumed the profane, meaning Blackie wasn’t influenced by the nature of the grotesque entity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even so, it seems a bit different from other ‘Shadow Dragons’. For now, though, I’ll have to be content with what I’ve learned.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon patted Blackie’s head once before turning to Rine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for finding all this information despite the difficulty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t mention it. It’s a request from you, Godfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine smiled warmly, and Alon cleared his throat briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was one more thing he wanted to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This might be a bit forward, but can I make another request?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, what is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the slightest hesitation, Rine’s response gave Alon the courage to proceed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you arrange a meeting with Perion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Perion? Are you referring to the leader of the *Kalz Mercenary Corps* who settled in Lartania two years ago?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine tilted her head curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, she had reason to wonder—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had never been any connection between Alon and Perion before now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite that, the reason Alon sought a meeting with him was that Perion possessed something Alon currently needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perion, the leader of the Kalz Mercenary Corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A character encountered after progressing through several quests in the labyrinth city of Lartania in Psychedelia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he outwardly pretended to be human, he was, in fact, an elf from a southern territory of non-human races.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Allegedly… he came to Lartania to search for something.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Alon couldn’t recall more details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perion was certainly among the ranks of formidable figures, but he hadn’t been central to the player’s story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Perhaps he would’ve become a key character if the DLC was added.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Alon never played the DLC.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the DLC added new content, it reportedly diminished the main story’s enjoyment, so he had avoided it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, Alon’s perception of Perion was quite simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a character who provided an item essential for playing as a mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have something to negotiate with him about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Alon had intended to meet Perion without relying on Rine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he had overlooked one crucial fact: Perion was not someone who could be easily met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a player, Alon had naturally encountered Perion while resolving significant events in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t until he arrived in Lartania that he realized how difficult it was to meet Perion, who rarely interacted with others despite being a mercenary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Rine casually responded,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you wish, Godfather, I’ll arrange a meeting for tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an air of ease, she smiled and replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, if that’s what you want, Godfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, from beyond the window of Rine’s shop, Merd, Yuna was perched on a tree branch, hiding as she closely observed Alon’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm~ He doesn’t seem particularly extraordinary. Why is Red Moon so fanatically devoted to him?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even tilted her head slightly in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her observation of Alon from Merd’s office window was purely coincidental.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had come to relay Yutia’s message to Rine and had just happened to arrive during Alon’s visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, she managed to catch sight of Alon and Rine together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After observing the two for a while, Yuna recalled Alon’s earlier remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘His… birthday?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A birthday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a word that evoked any special emotions for her, but now it seemed oddly significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was because she’d overheard that the “Great Moon,” whom Red Moon worshiped, had been slightly downcast about not receiving a birthday gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Of course, according to the knight, the Great Moon had shown no expression whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the knight’s jest about their close relationship was true or not, Yuna deliberated briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Should I report this to the other moons as well? I’ll have to visit them all anyway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, she decided to inform the other leaders that “the Great Moon might feel slightly disappointed if their birthday isn’t celebrated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Perhaps a risky decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Alon’s mind, the image of Perion, leader of the Kalz Mercenary Corps, was that of a knight with a strong sense of conviction, despite being a mercenary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outwardly, Perion seemed like a knight living a carefree life, but no player saw him that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humorously, while his disguise was convincing, his actions didn’t align with his appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This discrepancy made Perion appear as a figure of unwavering conviction, a portrayal not far from the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, Perion was an elf of the “Pagade,” a rank slightly higher than Master Knights in Caliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having some understanding of Perion’s background, Alon planned to acquire the desired item through negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Although obtaining the item Perion needed required venturing into the labyrinth, which would take a few days, Alon concluded it was worth the time for future benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, thanks to Rine’s arrangements, Alon moved forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Perion of the Kalz Mercenary Corps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Marquis Palatio of the Kingdom of Asteria.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, yes, I’ve heard much about you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Alon met Perion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to his known image of a knight filled with conviction, Alon encountered a man who seemed visibly timid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, please speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perion repeatedly glanced around nervously and avoided direct eye contact during their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing this, Alon naturally turned to see where Perion’s gaze was directed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is something wrong, Godfather?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh, it’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feel free to speak, Godfather. Perion has plenty of time today, right, Perion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, yes, that’s correct. I have a lot of time today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, Alon saw Rine smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She calmly watched Perion, who was nodding vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a rumor Evan mentioned a week ago resurfaced in Alon’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rumor that all senior council members had died, leaving Rine as the sole survivor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon seemed to have inadvertently stumbled upon a truth he didn’t necessarily need to know.\u003C\u002Fp>",1590,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","53b3263c81e98195be841a5f3be9c0ffd5335707c12613e4531c7fa8396840ce","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-146","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-144",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]